John Holmes
Contents
Background
Goldfields Involvement, 1853-1854
Signed the 1853 Bendigo Goldfields Petition. Agitation of the Victorian goldfields started with the Forest Creek Monster Meeting in 1851, but what became known as the Red Ribbon Movement was centred around the Bendigo goldfields in 1853. The Anti-Gold License Association was formed at Bendigo in June 1853, led by George Thomson, Dr D.G. Jones and 'Captain' Edward Browne. The association focused its attention on the 30 shillings monthly licence fee miners were required to pay to the government. They drew up a petition outlining digger grievances and called for a reduced licence fee, improved law and order, the right to vote and the right to buy land. The petition was signed by diggers at Bendigo, Ballarat, Castlemaine, McIvor (Heathcote), Mount Alexander (Harcourt) and other diggings. The 13 metre long petition was presented to Lieutenant-Governor Charles La Trobe in Melbourne on the 01 August 1853, but their call for a reduction in monthly licence fees and land reform for diggers was rejected. The diggers dissatisfaction erupted into the Red Ribbon Rebellion where agitators wore red ribbons on their hats symbolising their defiance of the law and prohibitive licence fees.
Post 1854 Experiences
Obituary
THE LATE MR. JOHN HOLMES
The death of Mr. John Holmes removes on eminently enterprising man, and one who was strongly in evidence in Bendigo pioneer life. He was a native of Derbyshire. After leaving school at which he received a very good education, he served an apprenticeship in an ironmongery establishment. At the early age of 21, however, he left England for Victoria, arriving here in 1854. He came straight on to Bendigo, where he found his two uncles, Henry and George Holmes. They were in a small way of business in McCrae street, having come to the diggings from America, bringing with them a supply of goods. The young nephew was at once ensconced in the store as a clerk, and soon became the manager of the business. Mr. R. F. Howard just afterwards called at the store and seeing the young clerk was very strongly impressed with the idea that he was an exceptionally gifted young man and one who gave great promise of having a brilliant future. The young man accosted Mr. Howard and pointing to the store, goods, etc., found fault with the whole concern. Mr. Howard told him that in a new country he could not expect to see things in such good order and completeness as in England. Mr. Holmes soon made himself felt in the business and soon a new life throbbed through the whole concern. He at once persuaded his uncles to send direct to England for goods, and also prevailed upon them to erect new and larger premises which still stand in McCrae street. Under Mr. Holmes’ skilful management the ironmongery business turned out to be a most successful concern. After the death of Mr. George Holmes and the retirement of Mr. Henry Holmes the business was carried on for some time by Mr. John Holmes in conjunction with Mr. Samuels. Mr. Holmes, however, soon after this retired from the business and devoted himself almost entirely to mining speculation. But he had been a plucky investor from shortly after his arrival here. His first and one of his most successful mining speculations was in testing the Paddy’s' Gully Reef. He and some of his companions were walking up the gully. They saw that several shafts had been sunk to depths of from 50ft to 80ft and then abandoned. Prior to this the miners of Bendigo were prejudiced against sinking any deeper by the report published by the Gold Mining Commission, of which Professor McCoy was a member, inasmuch as it is stated “that gold could not be worked profitably at any depth where machinery had to be used.”
Fortunately, Mr. Holmes and his confreres, being comparatively new chums, were altogether in ignorance of this scientific dictum. Mr. Holmes, looking at the shafts, said to his mates, “Why not take up this ground and try it from these shafts?” His mates fell in with the idea, and at once men were set on to extend the workings from those shafts. Messrs. J. Holmes, Ogden, Snowdon, Miller (contractor), and three others whose names are now forgotten, joined in this venture. One of these shafts had been sunk some time before by Burke and Sons, but as the quartz was white and glossy looking they did not like the prospect. It was only a few feet from where these men left off that Holmes and party came upon the gold which laid the foundation of the fortunes of each partner. Their net receipts from this mine amounted to upwards of £4000 each.
Mr. Holmes possessing excellent business capacities, he soon extended his mining ventures. In conjunction with Messrs. R. F. Howard, W. Gibbs, G. E. Wells, the late Mr. J, A. Woodward and others, he went heavily into mining speculation on the Victoria Hill. He held large interests in the old Adventure and Endeavor Companies, afterwards merged into the Victoria Consols Co., also in the Old Chum Company. He was likewise a share holder in the Gt. Ex. Hustler’s Company in its palmy days.
He was one of the pioneers on the old Isabella Reef at Epsom, and also helped largely to open up the Tyson’s Reef. In one small claim he held on the Tyson's Reef he obtained stone worth nearly 300oz to the ton. He also speculated largely at Myrtle Creek, where the Myrtle Co., for some time gave good returns, and at Daylesford. Altogether he was about 20 years ago and up to 7 or 8 years ago, one of the heaviest holders of mining scrip in Bendigo, He was very frequently successful in his speculations, but at the same time met with numerous losses. Although of late years he still held a considerable number of shares, nevertheless, he turned his attention more particularly to land in the Moama and Kerang districts, and at Mossgiel in New South Wales.
From 1863 to 1881 he was a member of the City Council, and was mayor in 1868-69. In 1863 he was a member of the Hospital committee. The funeral is appointed to leave his late residence, Bleak House, Forest street, tomorrow afternoon at 3 o’clock for the Bendigo Cemetery.[1] John Holmes was buried in the Bendigo Cemetery.
See also
Ballarat Reform League Inc. Monuments Project
Further Reading
References
- ↑ The Bendigo Independent, Wednesday 26 July 1893 p 3; Pioneers of Bendigo compiled by Barbara Poustie 2020 https://www.bendigohistory.com/pioneersofbendigo/ Page 63 of 88
External links
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Further Reading
References
External links
If you can assist with information on this person, or a related image, please email eurekapedia@yahoo.com.au
To CITE this page click Cite This Page on the link to the left of this page.
